Former Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard sentenced to four years in prison

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Former Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard

Former Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard sentenced to four years in prison

Former Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard

OPELIKA, Ala. (AP) — Former Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard has been sentenced to four years in prison for violating the state’s ethics law.

Lee County Circuit Judge Jacob Walker handed down the sentence Friday. Hubbard faces additional time on probation, and $210,000 in fines.

Hubbard was convicted in June of a range of ethics violations, including improperly soliciting lobbyists and company executives for consulting contracts and investment and using his office to benefit his clients.

Prosecutors argued Hubbard betrayed the trust of voters and his fellow lawmakers and asked for a five-year prison sentence.

During the sentencing hearing, the defense called several people to testify on Hubbard’s behalf, including Opelika’s mayor, Congressman Mike Rogers and others.

Hubbard was one of the state’s most powerful politicians. He led the 2010 GOP takeover of the Alabama Legislature.

Hubbard maintained his innocence during the trial and testified that he never used the power of his office for personal benefit.